by Marla Monroe
“Hey! What about my new cabin?” Abby spoke up for the first time. “Mine first. Then you can build theirs.”
He looked over to where Thad stood by the sink with a dishcloth in his hand. The other man smiled and winked at him. Evidently Thad was onboard with that idea as well.
“Don’t worry, babe. You’ll get your cabin come spring as well.” He turned back to his sister and her two men. “You move there with us and I’ll build one better than this place for you. If I don’t hear from you within two weeks after the thaw, I’m coming to check on you. Got it?” Harry asked.
“Got it. Even if we don’t move there right away, we’ll come visit after the thaw so you’re satisfied that your sister is safe and doing fine.” Mack stepped forward and held out his hand.
Harry hesitated for only a split second, then took the other man’s hand and pulled him in for a hug, slapping him on the back of the shoulder as he did. Then he pulled Brad in and let them both know he was trusting them.
“Thanks, Har.” Harriet had tears in her eyes. “I love you.”
It took all of his strength not to let his voice break when he answered her. “I love you, too.”
“We need to pack up and head out before the sun gets away from us.” Thad dropped the dishcloth on the counter next to the sink and wound his arm around Abby’s waist.
Harry smiled, feeling settled now about the situation with his sister and the one involving him, Abby, and Thad. While he’d much rather his sister was coming with them now, he could accept that they needed to wait until spring in order to be able to pack up what they needed to bring with them.
He nodded at Thad. “I’m ready.”
Harry gathered his things and stuffed them back down in his pack. He took in the sight of his sister and Abby talking by the fireplace as Abby repacked her bag as well. He had no idea what they were discussing, but it had his sister smiling and laughing. He would carry this picture in his mind until he saw her again come spring.
“You did the right thing, Harry. She needed to know you were happy with her decision or it would have weighed on her all winter. That’s no way to start a relationship. Something like that could cause a rift between her and her men.” Thad zipped up his pack then threw it over his shoulders. “I’ll pull the travois behind me to start off. You lead.”
Harry had no problem with that. He needed to keep his mind busy with keeping them on track and clearing any obstructions until he’d settled with leaving his sister behind. Pulling the travois would have given him too much time to think.
Once they’d donned their packs and Thad had the harness on, they said their good-byes and hiked back to the main road. With any luck, they’d make it to within a day’s journey of reaching the settlement. That would go a long way to settling his mind. Beginning their life together as a family unit started to seep into his heart. He could get a little excited about it if he allowed himself to.
What will it be like to live in a group where everyone lives in a group of three or even more? Will there be any children there? I want children and everything that normally comes with having a family.
They needed to discuss their plans when they stopped for the night. He hoped they hadn’t jumped the gun by making love the night before. Harry worried that should have talked things out together before taking that step. He was sure they were all on the same page, but the little things could become big if they weren’t open and honest with each other. Did Abby even want children?
Would it matter? I’d like to have them, but if she doesn’t want any with the way everything is now, I can accept that. I just don’t want to assume and then find out later that she feels differently.
That would cause a rift because he’d be disappointed instead of having time to adjust to it as they built a life together.
He chuckled when he thought about the fact that they didn’t have birth control anymore, so wanting or not wanting children would probably be up to Mother Nature.
An image of Abby round and waddling with their baby warmed him. He’d enjoy feeding her and teasing her about how she walked. He’d dry her tears when hormones got the best of her and take turns with Thad massaging her back and her feet. To have the chance to coddle her satisfied something inside of him that he hadn’t noticed before. He wanted to be needed by someone. Harriet had always filled that need. Now it would be Abby.
* * * *
“How are you doing, Harry?” Abby leaned against him as they stopped for lunch.
“Good. I think I’ve gotten into so much better shape that the travois doesn’t even feel heavy anymore.” Harry smiled at her before helping her out of her backpack.
“I was talking about Harriet. I know it wasn’t easy to do, leave her with two men you don’t know, but it was the right thing to do. They are crazy about her and she was really taken with them. They’ll take good care of her.”
“I know. I realized that I was denying her the best by trying to keep her with me. I knew that I wanted that for you, and it meant partnering with Thad to keep you safe. How could I not allow the same for my own sister?”
Abby wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. “You’re the best brother in the world, and my hero.”
Harry laughed down at her and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m no hero, babe.”
“Yes, you are. Don’t argue with me.” Abby laid her head against his chest, wishing that his coat wasn’t between them.
“Let the man get that harness off of himself before you assault him, chèr.” Thad wrapped his arms around her from behind and nipped her ear. “Damn these coats, eh?”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Abby looked back at him over her shoulder.
“Not much longer. We’ve got another three hours and we’ll stop for the night. I wish we’d reached the settlement today, but it doesn’t look like we will. The map isn’t that precise but we’re at least within a day or two.” Thad kissed her cheek, then walked around to help Harry out of the harness.
“All I can think about is what it’s going to be like living there.” Abby watched the two men arrange the harness so that it wouldn’t be difficult to put back on after they’d eaten and rested.
“What? I thought I was all you could think about,” Harry teased before nipping her chin.
“Well, besides the two of you.” She grinned. “But really. It’s winter coming up fast now so there won’t be much work for me other than keeping up the cabin. You guys will stay busy with hunting and building. I’m probably going to go crazy.”
Abby hoped the women had projects that went on during the winter. She hated not having anything to do. Before she ran off from the compound where she’d been living before, winter didn’t leave her with time on her hands. There she had to keep the various buildings clean and food prepared for everyone. She doubted that would be the case where they were going. According to what she’d been told by the guy years back and what Thad had told them he’d learned from his friend, there were lots of family groups and the work was divided up between everyone. They all pulled their weight.
“Don’t worry, chèr. We’ll keep you busy when the snow sets in, eh?” Thad winked at Harry.
Abby rolled her eyes. “That goes without saying, but even two big strong he-men need some recovery time.”
Both men laughed before Harry picked her up and carried her over to where Thad had cleared off a spot on a boulder for her to sit. The coldness of the rock seeped through her jeans, reminding her that there was probably only a matter of days before the first heavy frost and snow began.
After a quick meal of jerky and dried fruit, they pulled on their packs with Harry helping Thad with the travois harness. Thad told her that they were within a day or two of the community, but Abby worried it wouldn’t be soon enough. Already it began to get colder before the sun even left the noon hour. Despite the heavy coat and extra T-shirt she wore beneath it, she felt the early chill slowly bite into her hands and legs. They needed long johns or th
ermals but hadn’t found any at the houses they’d slept in during the journey. She prayed there wouldn’t be more than one or two more nights or they were going to end up sick.
Thad stopped ahead of her and turned around to address her and Harry. “We’ll turn off on the next road or drive we see to begin looking for somewhere to bed down for the night. It’s getting too cold to keep walking.”
“I’m all for that.” Abby slapped her gloved hands together.
“Let’s get going then. It’s been a while since we’ve seen any roads or turnoffs. Should be one coming up pretty soon now,” Harry said.
They’d just turned around to begin walking when three men with rifles stepped out of the woods in front of them. Thad immediately pulled his rifle from over his shoulder to rest across his arms while backing up to stand in front of her. She felt Harry’s warmth behind her and knew the other man had closed the distance between them.
“We don’t mean any harm.” Thad’s voice sounded steady and strong despite their current situation.
“Who are you and where are you going?” the first man asked.
“I’m Thad. That’s Harry behind me and our woman, Abby, between us.”
“And where are you headed?” This came from the man in the middle. He was over six feet tall with hair as black as midnight pulled back from his face with what looked like a piece of leather.
“We were told that there was a new community out here that was doing well and run based on honesty and hard work. We want to join up where we don’t have to worry that someone will try to take Abby from us.” Thad kept the rifle in his arms, lowered though it would be easy for him to bring it up.
“What skills do you have that can help the town?” This came from the slightly shorter but stockier man with the warm brown eyes and light brown hair.
Harry spoke first. “I’m a master builder. I’ve built more than a hundred and fifty cabins in the Arkansas and Missouri areas.”
“I’m originally from Canada. I’ve been tracking and hunting since I was a kid.” Thad’s body kept Abby hidden so that she couldn’t see much more of the men in front of them.
“You’re cutting it close, getting here when the first snow is about to fall. How did you find us in the first place?” This came from the taller one with the black hair pulled back.
“I had a map that I found when I was scavenging for food. I’d heard a trader who came through once talk about it, but when I found the map I knew it was real.” Abby spoke up before either of her men could.
Silence stretched between them after that. Just when she was sure Thad was going to turn them around to find somewhere to stay for the night, the man who’d been silent so far spoke up.
“I’m Russell, this is Marty, and that’s Owen. Welcome to New Hope. Follow us. We should make it back to the town in about an hour.” The three men turned and started walking without waiting for them to follow.
Thad looked over his shoulder and shrugged. When Harry nodded, he turned back around and began walking behind the three men. Abby noticed that he didn’t return his rifle to the scabbard he had slung over his shoulder. She was glad he hadn’t given the three strangers his trust so easily. She wasn’t comfortable with them yet. The three men could be leading them into a trap or were planning to get them lost then rob them.
By the time they reached the obvious outskirts of a community, Abby could no longer feel her fingers despite the leather gloves. She’d started to shiver twenty minutes into the journey but refused to say anything so that she didn’t appear weak. The last thing she wanted was for them to think she’d only be a burden on the town.
New Hope. They’ve named it. I can’t wait to really get a good look at the place. I hope the other women are happy here. If they aren’t, then I’ve only traded one prison for another. If we don’t like it here, that will be tough since winter is here. I pray that we didn’t make a mistake traveling all the way out here.
Before she realized it, they’d stepped into an open area with buildings surrounding it. The main building looked like a hotel built out of logs. It had two stories and what looked to be a massive fireplace, if the chimney was anything to go by.
Looking around, she counted ten cabins in various states of repair. Some looked old but well cared for, while a few others looked in pretty bad shape. Harry would be busy here and no doubt the community would be happy to have him. She just prayed there was a place for them that would be livable. By waiting so late in the year to start off, she’d placed herself at their mercy. With Thad and Harry with her, she had a chance that they could manage to shore up one of the neglected looking cabins to keep them warm until spring.
“Come on to the lodge. Abe is one of the council and can decide where to put you. He’s a good man, but gruff and very protective of his family, so watch your mouths.” This came from Russell. “He’s my partner.”
Abby’s mouth dropped open, but she managed to shut it just as quickly. Russell and Abe were an item?
Chapter Twenty-One
“You’ll meet our woman and our kids as well.” Russell led the way up to the lodge and opened the door.
Heat hit Abby as soon as she stepped closer to the door. She would have closed her eyes and basked in it if she could have, but walked into the room to allow Harry to follow her inside. A fire blazed in the huge fireplace that stood against the far wall. There were several doors on either side of the massive stone hearth. Wood lined both sides of the fireplace three feet high. They were definitely prepared for the season. She’d noticed three times that amount next to the door they’d just entered.
“Abe! We’ve got company.” Russell’s voice carried and echoed through the tall rafters.
“Have a seat. I’m sure you’re cold and tired. Take off your coats so you don’t get sick.”
Thad helped Abby slip out of her pack and then the coat. She immediately felt five pounds lighter and sank onto the comfortable leather couch directly across from the flickering flames.
Harry had just walked inside after one of the men helped him out of the harness. He and Thad dropped their packs by the back door then crossed the room in long strides to sit on either side of her. She was thankful for their combined presence as it helped her stomach settle some. She couldn’t help but worry that they weren’t out of the woods yet.
“Russell! You’re back.” A pretty brown-haired woman hurried across the floor from door across from the fireplace that Abby hadn’t noticed before. “You brought company!”
“Settle down, Celina. Let Abe talk to them first. Where are the kids?” Russell looked behind her toward the door she’d burst through.
“They’re in the kitchen with Destiny. We’re making rabbit stew and biscuits for supper.” Celina looked around Russell to smile at Abby. “I’m Celina. Welcome to New Hope.”
“Celina.” Russell frowned at the woman, narrowing his eyes so that he looked formidable. “What did I tell you?”
The woman stuck her tongue out at Russell before addressing Abby again. “Don’t mind him, or any of the men around here. They all act like they bite, but they really don’t.”
“Lord, woman! How many times do we have to tell you to wait until we’ve checked them out before you start getting chummy with anyone new?” The newcomer’s voice fairly boomed in the large open room.
“This is Abe,” Celina told them with an indulgent smile. “Like I said, all bark and no bite.”
“You’re going to find out all about our biting after super tonight,” Abe told her in a voice that meant business. Still, the other woman just sighed and rolled her eyes before waving at them and retreating back through the door she’d come through earlier.
“I take it you’re here to join our community.” Abe grabbed the poker and prodded the logs in the fireplace before turning to look at them. “This is a close-knit group who work well together. We won’t tolerate troublemakers or laziness. You live here, you work to keep the town in working order.”
“That’s wh
y we walked all this way,” Thad told him. “We want a safe place to put down roots and start a family. All three of us are used to hard work. Harry here used to build log cabins for a living.”
“By living here you promise to keep all women and children here safe. You agree to work in whatever capacity you’re good at, as well as lend a hand during the harvest to be sure we get everything in and put up for the winter.” Abe looked from Harry to Thad, then settled on Abby. “The women here work just as hard as the men. It’s a difficult life, but a good one. We prepare the fields and the women plant and care for the gardens until harvest time. Do you have any experience in anything other than gardening?”
Abby smiled. “I’m good at gardening and canning. I’m also pretty good at sewing and mending. I’ll do whatever needs doing as long as I’m with Thad and Harry.”
Abe stared at each of them for a long moment before nodding with a smile. “Welcome to New Hope. You can stay here in a room we have for guests until you can get a cabin ready for yourselves. The snows are going to be setting in soon, so you probably need to plan to stay in the lodge until spring.”
“Thank you.” Thad stood up and shook the other man’s hand. “Harry and I can work on some of the cabins already in use to be sure they’re as weatherproof as possible as long as the weather holds out. I’ll bring in meat when you need me to.”
Harry shook the other man’s hand as well. “Thanks for giving us a chance. My sister and her um, men, are probably going to come here in the spring if you’ll let them. They’re about two or three days from here at an old homestead.”
“We’ll look forward to meeting them,” Abe told him. “Let’s get you settled in before supper is ready. Follow me. Russell, can you guys bring their things up?”
“We can carry them,” Harry began.
“Not this time. You’re coming in from a long journey to get here. We all take turns helping each other. Remember that.” Abe turned and walked across the room to the staircase at the opposite end of the massive great room.